Database Users

Free new LG apps

Hi fellow LG WP7 users!
Just wanted to let you guys know that new free apps in the LG app store are available now. Enjoy!
New apps:
Cocktail Flow
Doodle God
Color Sprouts
envision for Basecamp
Krashlander
Colorize
Weave
Talking Ragdoll
Mobile Sommelier
Mr. Hat and the Magic cube
Network Setup

Thanks for the heads up. I can confirm the apps are available in Canada as well.
Wow, LG really knows what they are doing with their apps. And RIGHT on time too. 60 days after launch. I wonder if this will continue. Also, seeing how the last round of apps still remain, here's hoping any new apps won't replace the old ones.
I am really not regretting buying and keeping this phone after all, even if the buttons are still a bit wobbly. If LG comes up with a phone with an IPS panel like they are doing with their Tegra2 based Android phones, but with WP7 on board, then they will have another customer...again.
PS: The total worth of the apps is around 30 dollar US...Respect LG, respect.

That's awesome! I was actually considering buying Cocktail Flow, Doodle God and Krashlander. That's 3 quality apps right there!

Well here is the bad news. After installing all the apps, I have discovered a sad truth. Not all the apps are up to date. The corresponding paid version in the Marketplace for an app, let's see Weave, is several releases ahead. Same with Cocktail flow. This was my initial fear as well. LG is basically offering these apps AS IS and probably will not update them past the 60-days offer. If the apps are not tied to the original developer, then basically we are screwed with no updates, and have to stick with out version 1.0 apps from LG. Nothing against LG, but if you promise something, then do it right.

You're right. This issue should be brought up to LG if we want a chance of getting updates. They probably won't do anything about it unless people make it known that it is important.

Hi! I'm one of the developers on Cocktail Flow. The current version in the LG appstore is indeed not the holiday version: this has to do with some issues with the process of getting them over to LG behind the scenes. However I can assure you that the app will soon be updated to the current version (and to other versions that would come out through the 60 days period).
The first update will still probably take some time, but after that there should be shorter delays between the marketplace and the LG store update.

gergolovebsz said:
Hi! I'm one of the developers on Cocktail Flow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice job! Easily one of the best looking apps on the platform.
gergolovebsz said:
The current version in the LG appstore is indeed not the holiday version: this has to do with some issues with the process of getting them over to LG behind the scenes. However I can assure you that the app will soon be updated to the current version (and to other versions that would come out through the 60 days period).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what the plan is after the 60 day period? I assume they'd be removed from the app store, which in turn probably means no more updates. hopefully you have info to the contrary.
gergolovebsz said:
The first update will still probably take some time, but after that there should be shorter delays between the marketplace and the LG store update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, LG hasn't communicated how this works very well so far.

gergolovebsz said:
Hi! I'm one of the developers on Cocktail Flow. The current version in the LG appstore is indeed not the holiday version: this has to do with some issues with the process of getting them over to LG behind the scenes. However I can assure you that the app will soon be updated to the current version (and to other versions that would come out through the 60 days period).
The first update will still probably take some time, but after that there should be shorter delays between the marketplace and the LG store update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information. If only LG was so transparent in communicating with consumers. Cocktail Flow is one of the few apps in the marketplace that is just amazing to LOOK at, and even more impressive to use. I had it purchased before LG put it up. Amazing, and has gotten me some praise on my mixing formulas nowadays (Hehe). My question for you is whether the updates will stop after the 60 days, or will it be tied directly to your actual app...because if it is the former, that is kinda...a downer...

What happend to this apps? Two weeks ago they were available to download in LG marketplace, but now they arent.

elektryk said:
What happend to this apps? Two weeks ago they were available to download in LG marketplace, but now they arent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 My device was reset after entering a pin incorrectly and now that I am trying to reinstall, these apps listed at the top of this thread are no longer on the marketplace. What is going on? Older LG apps are showing, newer ones are showing but not all of those are there:
Cocktail Flow - NO
Doodle God - NO
Color Sprouts - NO
envision for Basecamp - YES
Krashlander - NO
Colorize - NO
Weave - NO
Talking Ragdoll - NO
Mobile Sommelier - NO
Mr. Hat and the Magic cube - NO
Network Setup - YES
Any ideas?

I know some of the apps said "60 days of free download for lg handset owners" so they probably took them down because it's been 60 days.

This is what I was afraid of. As of now, the free apps that were off Marketplace (not the LG developed ones) are no longer available, possibly new ones are coming.
Two matters to think about:
1- If you reset your phone, there is no way to install the apps again, even if you downloaded it before. This is due to the fact that the xap files are not stored locally on your computer or anywhere when syncing with Zune. iTunes stores an app on the synced computer no matter what, even if the app has been removed from App Store.
Basically, if you have the apps, don't delete them, until someone figures out (or at least shares with us) how to extract xap files.
2- If you have the apps right now on your phone, then the apps are STUCK with their current version, probably forever. For example, if Weave updates their app to version 2.5 or above, you are stuck with 2.3 ANYWAYS. I voiced this concern early on if you look back at the earlier posts in this thread.
So, we should either petition LG to bring back the apps, and disallow new installs, which I believe has more to do with the Marketplace's structure than LG. OR, get Microsoft to tie our apps to the Marketplace equivalents.
Also, Microsoft should adopt Apple's model of backing installed apps through its Zune software.

kapanak said:
This is what I was afraid of. As of now, the free apps that were off Marketplace (not the LG developed ones) are no longer available, possibly new ones are coming.
Two matters to think about:
1- If you reset your phone, there is no way to install the apps again, even if you downloaded it before. This is due to the fact that the xap files are not stored locally on your computer or anywhere when syncing with Zune. iTunes stores an app on the synced computer no matter what, even if the app has been removed from App Store.
Basically, if you have the apps, don't delete them, until someone figures out (or at least shares with us) how to extract xap files.
2- If you have the apps right now on your phone, then the apps are STUCK with their current version, probably forever. For example, if Weave updates their app to version 2.5 or above, you are stuck with 2.3 ANYWAYS. I voiced this concern early on if you look back at the earlier posts in this thread.
So, we should either petition LG to bring back the apps, and disallow new installs, which I believe has more to do with the Marketplace's structure than LG. OR, get Microsoft to tie our apps to the Marketplace equivalents.
Also, Microsoft should adopt Apple's model of backing installed apps through its Zune software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. So are there other ways to grab the XAP files off the LG phones using TouchXplorer or Advanced Explorer? This way we won't need to wait until LG or MSFT figures out what they are going to do?
So far, I have not had any success with either of the above tools, but that could just be me, or maybe there is a device specific tool for the LG Optimus line of phones?

kapanak said:
So, we should either petition LG to bring back the apps, and disallow new installs, which I believe has more to do with the Marketplace's structure than LG. OR, get Microsoft to tie our apps to the Marketplace equivalents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it should be implemented in MarketPlace. Normally when you buy app, you have it assign to live acount. To solve it, they need to make an option to assign a free application OR make an option to add a "prepayed" (or free for some group of users) option to some application and some device id (ie from LG). IMHO MarketPlace architecture does not allow any of this solutions now.

My biggest hurdle right now is that I have to hard reset my phone, which is the only solution to get rid of the 8000FFFF error in Zune Update. This means I won't be able to back it up on my PC. So somehow I need to grab the apps before that. Heh.
elektryk said:
I think it should be implemented in MarketPlace. Normally when you buy app, you have it assign to live acount. To solve it, they need to make an option to assign a free application OR make an option to add a "prepayed" (or free for some group of users) option to some application and some device id (ie from LG). IMHO MarketPlace architecture does not allow any of this solutions now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interestingly, some of the apps we downloaded from the LG app store ARE actually tied to our live accounts, which you can check using the app purchase history in the Zune client. However, the apps listed are ONLY the permanent, LG developed or endorsed ones (eg. QR Reader, Metro Scanner, etc).
None of the Marketplace pulled ones are there. So there is no record of it whatsoever.
It is as if the developers just handed LG their xap files and LG submitted them (which is almost exactly what happened), and then when you install, it is like installing a homebrew xap...
So I won't feel too bad for pulling the xap out of the phone (when I figure out how).
UPDATE: Upon further inspection, it seems the 60-day offer apps WERE tied to the live accounts, but completely disappeared after being pulled from the Marketplace. Something similar happened with Twin Blades (the zombie killer nun game), which I still have installed, but there are no trace of it on my account.

I read about the Twin Blades game and it was pulled out of Marketplace supposedly because it was too violent and Microsoft had a no Mature game policy, that's what I think I read. Mango will supposedly have a rating system and supposedly we will start seeing more mature games.
Although I've read that Twin Blades will be released soon with the blood change to green.

Ye

kapanak said:
This is what I was afraid of. As of now, the free apps that were off Marketplace (not the LG developed ones) are no longer available, possibly new ones are coming.
Two matters to think about:
1- If you reset your phone, there is no way to install the apps again, even if you downloaded it before. This is due to the fact that the xap files are not stored locally on your computer or anywhere when syncing with Zune. iTunes stores an app on the synced computer no matter what, even if the app has been removed from App Store.
Basically, if you have the apps, don't delete them, until someone figures out (or at least shares with us) how to extract xap files.
2- If you have the apps right now on your phone, then the apps are STUCK with their current version, probably forever. For example, if Weave updates their app to version 2.5 or above, you are stuck with 2.3 ANYWAYS. I voiced this concern early on if you look back at the earlier posts in this thread.
So, we should either petition LG to bring back the apps, and disallow new installs, which I believe has more to do with the Marketplace's structure than LG. OR, get Microsoft to tie our apps to the Marketplace equivalents.
Also, Microsoft should adopt Apple's model of backing installed apps through its Zune software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-S5360T using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Android apps suddenly not compatible with my NC?

I've been collecting free apps from Amazon on my rooted NC for awhile now. At the time I got each of these apps, they were listed as "compatible" with my device.
Now suddenly a lot of them are not, and I am unable to go back and re-install the ones that I had removed.
Even worse, pretty much everything I've tried so far today to grab has come up as incompatible. Even really simple stuff that should have no problem running.
Oddly, at some point early on, Amazon listed my device as simply "Nook Color". Most of the apps are still showing as compatible with that device. Unfortunately, that's not what Amazon thinks my NC is anymore! I now have a second device on my list called "BarnesAndNoble NOOKcolor", which almost nothing is compatible with.
So then I wanted to check to see if Amazon was behind this, maybe to screw B&N fans. But nope! The Android Marketplace lists every game I've checked so far today as incompatible with my NC!!!
That's certainly news to me, considering some of the games I checked are currently installed on my NC and work perfectly.
I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's sort of scaring me. Who's locking down my rooted NC? If the official android marketplace says everything is incompatible... there aren't a lot of options for getting apps.

Do search with "Market" keyword, you will see about 10 threads with many responses and instructions how to fix this.

votinh said:
Do search with "Market" keyword, you will see about 10 threads with many responses and instructions how to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are quite a few threads found that way, but none of the ones I read helped. I did the "stop/restart Framework/Google and reload" and nothing changed. Most of the others seem to be related to problems with the new market, which was working perfectly for me up until today, or problems run into right after rooting. I've been rooted for about 5 months with no market problems of any kind, and I haven't changed anything on my NC for over a month.
I also tried clearing the settings for the Amazon market and also deregistered the device from my amazon account, forcing it to re-register. Still no luck.
Anyone else seeing this, or have another suggestion?

My old market and new market were working fine too, just like yours, until a few days ago. If you try the 160 dpi/reboot/clear-data-from-market procedure below and that doesn't work, then you may have a totally unique problem that just happens to have the same variety of symptoms everyone else is having. (I'm doubtful.) This procedure seems to be fixing the problem for almost everyone else. Did you try it? It fixed mine.
1) set dpi to 160 in build.prop
2) reboot
3) clear market app data (force close first may help?)
4) restart market, accept terms, let it rebuild data at 160 dpi
5) profit
the above we all seem to agree on now. Next steps are more speculative
6) set dpi back to 161 (or whatever you had)
7) reboot
8) profit indefinitely (unknown how long this lasts; I rebooted >5 times including flashing a nightly w/o issue)
9) do NOT clear data again as this rebuilds data at the wrong dpi again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks, I had tried the first half, but not the second. I used manual nooter, so my dpi entries originally looked like:
ro.sf.lcd_density.xdpi=169.3333
ro.sf.lcd_density.ydpi=169.3333
I don't know if that makes a difference.
Anyway, I just tried the second half of the above process but I'm still showing as incompatible. I wonder if I need to re-noot.

Everyone trying to be helpful here seems to miss the poster's dilemma. He is talking about the Amazon Market, not the Android Market. Hopefully someone familiar with the workings of the Amazon Market will chime in with some suggestions.

My original problem was with Amazon's market, but it looks like that's just a symptom of the bigger problem that I noticed first because I use it every day, as opposed to much less frequent use of the android market.
But the Android market suffers the same problem and from what I've read online it sounds like the problem was started with changes by Google that Amazon also adopted.

Interestingly I noticed this for the first time last night on the Android market and this morning with the Amazon market. Ebook downloads presently are unaffected to my rooted NC. Amazon recognizes my device as an Android but when I tried to make an app purchase this morning it suddenly tried to download it to a BN Nook. Amazon emailed me this morning saying that unless I have their market preloaded by the manufacturer they do not support it. Collusion?

I got the "not compatible" message after installing the most recent update from the Amazon App Store. Fortunately, I have the very first app store apk. I uninstalled the updated app store, then installed the old apk, logged in and then updated it and for some reason that worked for me. You might try not updating also to see if that works. I am not using CM7 though and I'm not manualnootered. I'm minirooted meaning I can side load apps and have superuser access, but no Android Market access and some other things.
I have attached the apk I used. I hope it works for you.

unibroker said:
Interestingly I noticed this for the first time last night on the Android market and this morning with the Amazon market. Ebook downloads presently are unaffected to my rooted NC. Amazon recognizes my device as an Android but when I tried to make an app purchase this morning it suddenly tried to download it to a BN Nook. Amazon emailed me this morning saying that unless I have their market preloaded by the manufacturer they do not support it. Collusion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A better question would be is Amazon trying to bork the Nook Color with their app?

Anyone else have a suggestion for getting the Android Market working again for me?
thanks for the APK, I'll try it when I have a chance... But since the Android market from Google doesn't work either I'm hoping for a fix to that.

If you make the change in your build.prop “ro.product.manufacturer=BarnesAndNoble” to “ro.product.manufacturer=samsung” then reboot the device. This seems to fix most of the device compatibility problems in the Amazon appstore. I went down the top 100 paid and free app list, and the only apps that came up with the compatibility problems after doing this are,
Soundhound
Peggle
Thumb keyboard
Trainz simulator THD
Chuzzle
Talking Tom Cat
flexT9
GrooVe IP
Ultra Voice Changer
TV.com
Compass
Also attached is the amazon appstore v.1.14, it has the double click buying fix, but does not give all the compatibility issues. With installing this version does fix the compatibility problem, but you will be constantly hounded with the update reminder.

I don't use Facebook, but I was able to find, install and open the Facebook app with the new market. Do the density change using 240. Its more stable than 160 for whatever reason.

GMPOWER said:
If you make the change in your build.prop “ro.product.manufacturer=BarnesAndNoble” to “ro.product.manufacturer=samsung” then reboot the device. This seems to fix most of the device compatibility problems in the Amazon appstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately it had no effect. The first four apps i tried not on your list all came up incompatible, as did stuff on the google market.
I'll try your attachment to see if it helps. Thx!

kayak and tripit does not install
Running MN4.5 on NC. Kayak and Tripit are visible in Market and downloads - but I get a window that just says "error".
Any suggestions?

GMPOWER said:
Also attached is the amazon appstore v.1.14, it has the double click buying fix, but does not give all the compatibility issues. With installing this version does fix the compatibility problem, but you will be constantly hounded with the update reminder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The old version of the market is working! I was able to install a number of apps that didn't previously work.
Now if I could just get the Google market to work!

Thanks for that link!
I was having the same problem with the AMAZON appstore (but not the android marketplace, for some reason) but I couldn't find the old amazon appstore apk. Going back to it totally fixed the problem. But you're right, the constant reminders to update the apk are a pain in the whatsus.

Also try going into application management and goto market and tap uninstall updates. Also use titanium backup or similar program to freeze market updater.
By what I read, I bet amazon is trying to block the competition because they are fixing to come out with their own tablets and by horning something like the nook you might be enticed to buy their tablet.
I voided my warranty and your mum.

My markets all seem to do whatever the f*ck they want the moment i need an application that was perfectly available minutes before. What i've done to get around the issue if neither the market or the amazon store have what i'm looking for is: (i know its tedious but hey it works)
1) install astro
2) using your android phone assuming you have one, download the applications you want regardless of them being compatible with the nook color according to the android market.
3) once your files are installed on your phone use astro to create a backup of the .apk files you want (open astro > menu > tools > application manager/backup)
4) i then take my sd card out of my phone and pop it into my nook color and install my apps through w.e file manager it is i have on the nook color
all the games that i cant normally download onto my nook through the official methods i've been able to install and play through the method i've been using. not ALL apps will allow you to back them up though =/

Empty "My Apps" in Android Market Fix

Requirements:
Market Fixer app installed
Faith and patience
Instructions:
1) go to manage applications in your settings, tap view all and force close "Market" (don't delete any data)
2) while still there, also delete "Google Services Framework"'s data and force close it
3) run "Market Fixer", tap analyze market links, select all of them and tap remove market links ONLY
4) go to "My Apps" inside Android Market and make sure there's a Retry button on the screen telling you it couldn't communicate with the server, if there isn't, repeat step 2 and re-check
5) re-run "Market Fixer" to be sure the links didn't get recreated, and if none appear, reboot
6) go to "My Apps" as soon as you boot completely
7) if previously bought apps appear on the list, go to the free apps category and install a new one (this will recreate your market's database with working information)
8) check "My Apps" one last time, all apps should be there now
9) if you want, reboot once more and go to "My Apps" again to make sure everything's in working order with your "My Apps" list
10) dance the macarena, shoot a few hoops or just enjoy your victory like i did
11) make sure you don't re-link those evil apps to your market so you don't have to redo all of this
***As you could've noticed, the idea behind the first five steps is to keep the market from recreating the links or having to clear the data for Google Services Framework many times (both happen when the market's still running in background).***

I've also used these steps with my Motorola Xoom Wifi and with my Samsung Exhibit II with more than pleasing results on each device... so please spread the word if this thread helped you or others 'cause I know there were a bunch of us with this issue.

The Dev has his own thread here already
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1480159

Cryingmoose said:
The Dev has his own thread here already
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1480159
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with that post and many others i found while researching, is that none of them actually worked on my devices 'cause the market and google services framework kept re-linking my apps. So i decided to try and mix all of the different methods i had found and came up with this one, which actually worked on all of my devices.

Man, I LOVE YOU FOR THIS! (no homo) I literally thought I was doomed when I didn't know how to fix that "My Apps" Problem. I even talked with a Google representative to try and fix the problem. Now it's all okay. I love you dude!!

awesome
this is the only method that give my 100% succesfull fix my market.
(sorry my english was bad)

Glad i could be of help to you guys, but i think this error is done for. Haven't had this problem since Play Store v3.5.15, apparently they now ignore the troublesome market links. Eitherways, it's a win for us.

Uncompatible apps with S10+

A friend of mine has found that on Play Store there are some apps that aren't "compatible" with the S10+. I too myself have checked and yes, it appears like it isn't compatible.
Can anyone else on other Regions check if this apps appear too like that? I am from Puerto Rico
Apps:
1. Adobe Premier Clip
2. Slice Package Tracker

In Poland (central Europe):
- APClip - same as yours
- Slice - doesn't even show up in results

Explanation
@atrix_noob
If it's any consolation, the applications install just fine if you download the APK directly (e.g., APKPure).
The best thing to do is to reach to the Developers and inquire when your device will be 'officially' supported. They hold the key.
I'll explain why this happens:
When an application is built, a unique file called a 'Manifest' is created alongside it.
The 'Manifest' lists what the application CAN and CANNOT do when used with a specific device.
When the application is searched via Google Play and the result loaded, the 'Manifest' determines whether or not the device IS or ISN'T compatible.
If the Application is, it will install.
And if it isn't, it won't.
Given the popular of Samsung as a whole, you'll likely see availability soon but given the amount of devices released every month, one can only imagine how many updates a Developer must have to prepare.
If you'd like to learn more, take a look at this:
https://developer.android.com/guide/practices/compatibility

Yeah, i've had it with a few runtastic apps. Had to download them manually and install the apk.

piotrkruczek said:
In Poland (central Europe):
- APClip - same as yours
- Slice - doesn't even show up in results
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, I aprecciate your help.

AHE_XDA said:
@atrix_noob
If it's any consolation, the applications install just fine if you download the APK directly (e.g., APKPure).
The best thing to do is to reach to the Developers and inquire when your device will be 'officially' supported. They hold the key.
I'll explain why this happens:
When an application is built, a unique file called a 'Manifest' is created alongside it.
The 'Manifest' lists what the application CAN and CANNOT do when used with a specific device.
When the application is searched via Google Play and the result loaded, the 'Manifest' determines whether or not the device IS or ISN'T compatible.
If the Application is, it will install.
And if it isn't, it won't.
Given the popular of Samsung as a whole, you'll likely see availability soon but given the amount of devices released every month, one can only imagine how many updates a Developer must have to prepare.
If you'd like to learn more, take a look at this:
https://developer.android.com/guide/practices/compatibility
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, gotcha, I'll be giving that thread a look, thanks for the explanation I really apreciate your patience. I'll try manually installing the APK and wait till updates for fix the compatibility issuses on the app.

Valinorian said:
Yeah, i've had it with a few runtastic apps. Had to download them manually and install the apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be giving that a shot and test if they install

atrix_noob said:
Hey, gotcha, I'll be giving that thread a look, thanks for the explanation I really apreciate your patience. I'll try manually installing the APK and wait till updates for fix the compatibility issuses on the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My pleasure. Anytime.

atrix_noob said:
I'll be giving that a shot and test if they install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- runtastic six pack
- Runtastic leg trainer
- Runtastic butt trainer.
They dont show up in appstore but work fine when you install it through apk,

Valinorian said:
- runtastic six pack
- Runtastic leg trainer
- Runtastic butt trainer.
They dont show up in appstore but work fine when you install it through apk,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the headsup there.
I installed the apps of my original post thru APK amd all work flawlessly

AHE_XDA said:
@atrix_noob
If it's any consolation, the applications install just fine if you download the APK directly (e.g., APKPure).
The best thing to do is to reach to the Developers and inquire when your device will be 'officially' supported. They hold the key.
I'll explain why this happens:
When an application is built, a unique file called a 'Manifest' is created alongside it.
The 'Manifest' lists what the application CAN and CANNOT do when used with a specific device.
When the application is searched via Google Play and the result loaded, the 'Manifest' determines whether or not the device IS or ISN'T compatible.
If the Application is, it will install.
And if it isn't, it won't.
Given the popular of Samsung as a whole, you'll likely see availability soon but given the amount of devices released every month, one can only imagine how many updates a Developer must have to prepare.
If you'd like to learn more, take a look at this:
https://developer.android.com/guide/practices/compatibility
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that not each device is manually included in the manifest. New devices are released all the time and unless you exclude something specifically, apps are always made available for distribution. This happens with one of the apps my company runs as well. Whenever a new Galaxy device comes out, its always incompatible with the app and its not because of anything we have done with it.

@Blaaargh
'The thing is that not each device is manually included in the manifest.'
No one said every device is included in the manifest. In fact no devices are listed in the manifest; only declarations.
'New devices are released all the time and unless you exclude something specifically, apps are always made available for distribution. Whenever a new Galaxy device comes out, its always incompatible with the app and its not because of anything we have done with it.'
OP wanted to know why APK X and Y weren't working. I provided him with a generalized explanation of why it MAY happen. It could very well be a Samsung issue but without breaking down the APKs in question, there's no way to be certain.

Samsung Galaxy note 20 ultra Europe exynos sm-986b debloat/decrapify

Hi,
Samsung Galaxy note 20 ultra Europe exynos sm-986b debloat/decrapify (Switzerland/Swisscom).
I'm starting my journey to debloat that phone which is entirely unusable for me, due to the unwanted presence of hundred of junk apps.
After realizing that I was not using a data cable but only a charging cable (computer not having usbc, I had to use another cable than the official one). I manage to get my bearings a bit.
So the connection is sorted out (out of topic), now start the actual decrapifying:
1) I used/will use this program, to list all programs:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...easy-management-android-applications-t4147837
Note: I could have used adb directly but this seems easier, especially as we talk about hundred of lines.
Note 2: each time I installed "ACBridge" which appears to show nice icons for that program.
2) I have compiled a list of applications currently installed. I did not install anything manually myself yet, not even connected to Android Play:
442 apps by default.
https://gofile.io/d/xGHoff
Note: Are some of these apps only specific to my seller and my region? It's possible, since the phone clearly had some of the FYI operator branded options installed.
3) I'm going to factory reset now. Again, nothing was really installed, just official rom updates done. But I want to start from fresh.
4) After I will reinitiate the phone, I will redo the list of applications capture, and start trimming down.
5) After the factory reset, it seems I had a new screen (unless I skipped it by mistake last time) proposing me to install additional apps like spotify, linked in... I refused this time. Last time I had the apps installed maybe a mistake click, or something new thanks to newer firmware.
6) Use the program again, I now have 429 apps only instead of 442.
7) I tried the list mentioned a starting point, I will look into this user list, allegedely 109 apps removed from a S20 (which is a different phone, I know):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-windows-adb-appcontrol-v1-4-5.4147837/post-83980273
First that only has 104 apps over 109.
Second, I found a few items I wanted to keep and a few I wanted to remove.
Customization Work required here...!
Caution: the list of 109 items contains what is described elsewere as dangerous:
com.samsung.android.authfw ; Not Recommended: Used for password autocompletion, can be removed if you don't use it. This app is sometimes called by the system and might cause battery drain if removed
com.serv.android.preloadinstaller : App that install other application, do not remove!
I will check each non-obvious items.
This list seems more pro:
Samsung full apps list
Feuille 1 LAST UPDATED 01/09/2022,Reinstall an app using pm install-existing [the app package],Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,<a href="https://docs.samsungknox.com/CCMode/G988B_Q.pdf">https://docs.samsungk...
docs.google.com
I made a custom preset with the 85 items in the list of " Safe to uninstall ". Only 71/86 where showing, some I wanted to keep like Android Auto.
--> I seems to have to choice but start from a bigger list and go through it myself.
After checking each items of that 109 list, vs the spreadsheet and sometimes google, I actually ended up reducing the list, or keeping more items. My final list is currently 68 applications to remove.
I also removed additional things like Netflix.
FINAL LIST:
Samsung SM-N986B_[All]_presetJSDec2020.txt
In the process I learned that this list seems rather personal to do. Yet, some items are marked not to be removed due to battery drain, so the initial list of 109 seems risky. I would say some manual work is mandatory.
8) Moving on, time to uninstall. Done.
9) Time to configure the basics again (basically language, etc...). Done.
10) Time to migrate data from old phone to new phone, I used "Samsung smart switch" app, installed it on both phone, used wifi, and unselected unwanted things. Done after some 1-2 hours (not so much data but it was slow and I interrupted twice).
11) Now the phone looks ok, a few apps had to be manually reinstalled like MCDonald's crapp.
12) Time to recover authenticator, relogin to apps, etc...Some apps I can't do now like RSA token, needs to regenerate a token elsewhere. GoogleAuth was simple, I could easily export from old phone/import new phone..
13) Phone works for now. I see I missed to remove some stuffs like "My files" which was basically simply like file explorer but from Samsung. That was indicated as "not remove" but probably can be ( com.sec.android.app.myfiles ).
Edit: day +1 after the step 13. Phone works properly. No visible impact on battery drain (seems high, as usual and with little usage overnight, same as before any intervention from my side). Unable to continue anything for now, being ill. Everything seems to work, even without the stuffs I removed.
On that note, I got rid of youtube and yt music, and installed YoutubeVance.
I tested the basics (phone, camera...) looks ok.
Note: this is WIP and more sharing the journey, as well as learning. Usually I would unlock bootloader, root, and install a decent ROM from XDA; but not happening this time.

Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app

ouroukai90 said:
Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that could help- The tool from Cyber Cat and the threads are useful. Yet I saw quite a few tools/options around.
The idea was to share the experience of using one, do some sort of decrapifying/debloating and comment.
For me even if I expected a bit that, I was a bit surprise that this operation needs a lot of customization.
Let's say it was easier to start from a fresh Android ROM and add some selected Google apps, rather than trimming down that Samsung junk (That something I usually do with custom roms, here I stayed with official Samsung ROM, so I did not have that possibility to start fresh).

I see Android 11 update should come soon (around January 2021?).... I take it that they will reinstall all their garbage in the OTA update... And we will have to decrapify again!?

Yes I guess for a major update it will maybe reinstall crap like "tips" from Samsung. But i've done this using beta4 OneUI3.0 and it work very well

Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working

Anskjer said:
Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)

htchd2sucks said:
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The assistant is inside the google app. Clear cache I have try but didn't work. Thanks for the help

The phone shown me an update yesterday (01/01/2021), OneUI3, Android 11.
It updated without any issue, and all my apps and things are properly there after.
One strange thing is it was allegedely updating 470 apps on my phone, I don't remember having so many.
Another thing to notice, is that I did not notice any new garbage apps after the update. For example, some emoticons junk was not reinstalled. Also, the default keyboard remains Gboard, like I set myself before the update.
Anyway, time to check now, in details.
Verdict: # Total applications: 421
Some junk have been installed again during the update. (after my previous cleaning, I was at:
# Total applications: 361)
I don't see the same type of junk as it was before, like Netflix apps, Bixby...etc... So it's rather strange.
One horrible app I found is "eBay Partner Attribution". What is it? Affiliate marketing is a referral program where sites pay commissions to affiliates who send traffic to their site that results in a sale.
Well done Samsung, installing junk to get additional money...
App killed on sight (com.ebay.carrier).
I also removed com.google.android.videos.
That will be all for now, don't have the time to do better.

Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?

jirka607 said:
Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think knox junk tripping is only if you replace your bootloader:
Knox
I think removing the apps only is not tripping it (anyway, if it is, my phone is fine without it).
It depends what you mean "safe" anyway, if you are talking about some features that might not work, or a broken phone for example.

Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.

danterape said:
Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to delete it then u'll see xD